Lakefront in Wisconsin

September 21, 2011

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Paul Clarkson and his wife, Andrea, own two adjacent properties on Wisconsin's Oconomowoc Lake, which is west of Milwaukee.
Fine & Company…

The couple, who just celebrated their 41st anniversary, had been living on the lake for about 12 years and had their eyes on the house shown here. They bought the home, designed in the French-manor style, in 2002 for $1.5 million, according to public records.
Fine & Company…

'It was in total disrepair and the grounds were overrun,' Mr. Clarkson says of the home's original condition. He says it had not been lived in for more than 20 years when he bought it.
Fine & Company…

Renovations to the main house took about a year and included replacing the roof and walls, Mr. Clarkson says.
Fine & Company…

The two-story home measures more than 4,700 square feet and has nine rooms.
Fine & Company…

There are four bedrooms. Shown here is the master bedroom.
Fine & Company…

The view from the master bedroom is pictured here.
Fine & Company…

The home also has four full bathrooms.
Fine & Company…

It also includes a lower level with a gym and a sauna. Shown here is the bar in the game room.
Fine & Company…

The property includes more than 200 feet of lake frontage, as well as two boat docks. Shown here is a sitting area.
Fine & Company…

The main house has a two-car attached garage, but there is also a three-car attached garage and a 'motorcar pavilion,' shown here.
Fine & Company…

Mr. Clarkson says he currently has about 12 cars at the house.
Fine & Company…

The Clarksons bought the adjacent property in 2004 when it became available, paying about $1.73 million, according to public records. They renovated that 3,100-square-foot home to match the main house. Used as a guest house, it has three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a fireplace. It also has a boat dock and 190 feet of lake frontage.
Fine & Company…

'We had this image of all three kids coming to live here,' Mr. Clarkson says, noting that he and his wife have three adult sons who all live in the Wilmington area of North Carolina. Their oldest son, who is 36, has four children.
Fine & Company…

The Clarksons, who also have a farmhouse in Illinois, are now planning to relocate to North Carolina themselves to be closer to their children and grandchildren. 'Our happiest times are when we are all together, and that's just what we are going to do,' says Mr. Clarkson, who is 69. Shown here is the exterior or a log cabin on the property.
Fine & Company…

Having auctioned cars and been involved in real-estate development, Mr. Clarkson says he has decided to try auctioning the home rather than try conventional sales methods. 'I don't have the patience for that,' Mr. Clarkson says of 'the conventional method of trying to market a property.'
Fine & Company…

Mr. Clarkson and his wife have already bought a home in North Carolina and are currently splitting their time between that home and their Oconomowoc Lake home. he says he plans to keep some of his cars in Illinois and will probably buy a building in North Carolina to house the rest.
Fine & Company…

The properties are being offered both separately and as a single family compound. The deadline to submit sealed bids is October 12, and there is no disclosed minimum bid. Fine & Company is handling the sale.
Fine & Company…

The owners renovated two adjacent properties on Oconomowoc Lake to make a family compound. The two parcels, set to be auctioned, include a manor-style house, a guest house, a log cabin and a 'motor pavilion.' --Sushil Cheema, 09/21/11